Association of the expressions of platelet-derived growth factor receptor and c-Fos with the biological characteristics of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the relation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and c-Fos protein expressions with human bladder transitional epithelial cell carcinoma (BTCC). METHODS: The expressions of PDGFR and c-Fos were investigated in 11 normal bladder tissue samples, 14 adjacent non-carcinoma tissues and 43 BTCC tissues by means of SP immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The c-Fos expression was found in the cell nuclei and cytoplasm, and PDGFR in the nuclear membrane, cytoplasm, and cellular membrane. PDGFR and c-Fos were detected in 81.40% and 48.83% of the BTCC tissues respectively, at the rates both significantly higher than those in normal and adjacent non-carcinoma tissues (P<0.05). Correlation between the expression of c-Fos and the tumor grading was noted (P<0.05). The expressions of PDGFR and c-Fos in tumor blood vessels were significantly higher than those in normal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of PDGFR and c-Fos might be involved in the development of BTCC, possibly related to the angiogenesis of the tumors. c-Fos expression can indicated the cell proliferative status of the BTCC.